Because of rebellion the LORD sent against Israel blasting and mildew, the palmerworm and pestilence, "yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. I have overthrown some of you, as God over threw Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD, 0 ISRAEL", (Amos 4: 10-12).
    The prophet of Tekoa would have Israel know that there could be no blessing until there was manifest in her a genuine repentance in which the nation, with its whole heart, returned unto the covenant-God. 'Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not over take nor prevent us. IN THAT DAY

    Throughout the years of her wandering God, who created Jacob and formed Israel, spoke comfortably (to the heart) of the nation, which He claimed as His own prized possession, saying, "Fear not". God was deeply concerned for the welfare of His people and adequately provided for their deliverance.
    "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the river, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: Therefore I will give men for thee, and people for thy life", (Isa. 43:1-4). The Holy One of Israel lamented: "0 that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea," (Isaiah 48:18). Nevertheless, He "redeemed his servant Jacob" from the Chaldeans.

    Elijah was a sorely discouraged man. He "sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die", (I Kings 19:4). To him it seemed that all his labor had come to nothing -- that his life had been a colossal failure. He was ready to admit it and seek comfort in death.
    One of the greatest enemies to Christian living and spiritual progress in any age is DISCOURAGEMENT. Once one comes under its influence he is weakened; it destroys hope and fills a person with cowardice. Many a life that once was full of promise, hope, peace and joy has been dragged down to an inglorious end through discouragement.
    It is truly sad to behold an old prophet lying under a little bush -- despondent, despairing and longing to die -- defeated by a single enemy called DISCOURAGEMENT. Had God

granted his foolish request his life would have ended in miserable wretchedness. But God was far more kind and merciful than even a discouraged prophet could imagine; thus, Elijah was kept alive to fulfill his calling and to see the glorious results of his contest with idolatry.
    Life is an endowment from God---a sacred trust for which each one must give an account. To wish one's self dead is to SIN. It is to rebel against the will, purpose and program of God. He will leave each of us here only long enough to fulfill His purpose in us -- preparing us for the age to come. We ought, therefore, to pray for daily grace to recognize and fulfill the will of God faithfully, willingly, bravely and joyfully unto the end.
    Let us learn from the experience of Elijah, never to be cast down by discouragement. The labors that we so often hastily misjudge to be "failure" is slowly ripening into rich "success". Let us not, therefore, be weary in well-doing. No work of faith or labor of love will fail; by God's marvelous grace it will ultimately bring forth fruit--to His glory.
    Brethren, let us not faint; but look up, and press on!

    In our services last Sunday evening Sister Emma Nelson united with Landmark Church on promise of a letter from the PD Flat Missionary Baptist Church of Dogpatch, Arkansas. WELCOME, Sister Nelson! May God richly bless our relationship together.

    Out of deep distress, an idolatrous people will find help in One who "formed them from the womb". From dry ground they will "spring up .. as willows by the water courses". Nor is Jacob forgotten of His God. "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, 0 ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, 0 forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel", (Isaiah 44:22-23).
    Assurance of deliverance is expressed by David, who recognizes God as his strength, rock, fortress deliverer, buckler, "the horn of my salvation, and my high tower". He will surely avenge His servant and subdue the people under Him. Such mercy will be shown to His anointed One, and to His seed for evermore (Psalm l8:l-3, 46-50).
    Finally, Ezekiel previews the deliverance, restoration and conversion of the covenant people. 'Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God: Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come...I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. And they shall come thither, and

they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from hence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will betheir God', (Ezek. 11:16-20).

HAVE YOU PRAYED FOR YOUR PASTOR??

    As we go to press this week the pastor and family are enjoying a visit with the Lonnie C. Ford family of Avondale, Colorado. Brother Ford is pastor of the Banner Baptist Church. He has just preached in a series of meetings at the Antioch Baptist Church of Greencastle Indiana. It is always a blessing to have brethren visit in our home.
    Our lives have been greatly enriched by following an "open door" policy with regard to our Christian brethren. The fellowship of the Gospel is an experience that we expect to enjoy until the Lord returns--or

will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old', (Amos 9:8-l2).
    Only after the sins of the covenant people have been purged, thru trial and sore affliction, will their captivity be turned, their vineyards planted, and their fruits gathered as they dwell peacefully in their own land. "And they shall no more be pulled out of their land which I have given them saith the LORD thy God", (Amos 9:13-16).
    Is it any wonder that when Jesus came to a self-righteous nation, which still rendered lip-service to God, that it was with a command to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"? And when His life and ministry failed to turn the nation once more toward His Father, He wept saying: "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and YE WOULD NOT! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord", (Matt. 23:37-39).

calls us home to Himself.
    We look forward to having others in our home this Summer, and trust that the experience may be a mutual blessing. F. G.